Faculty Research Lab

Mission

The Project for Research on Organizations, Management, and Publicness Theory (PROMPT), a faculty research lab in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park, was launched by Dr. Cullen C. Merritt in 2019. PROMPT’s mission is to produce—and apply—theoretically and practically innovative knowledge about the design and management of public service organizations across policy disciplines, sectors, and society. The key components of PROMPT's mission center on

  • Producing peer-reviewed articles in leading public affairs journals, contributing to theoretical and practical advancements in public management,
  • Disseminating research at invited and conference presentations, ensuring that the knowledge generated reaches a broader audience, and
  • Engaging in service informed by a clear philosophy of public service, emphasizing the practical application of research to benefit organizations and the broader community.

Student Engagement

PROMPT involves undergraduate and graduate students from various disciplines and institutions. These students contribute to the lab's research through independent projects or collaboration with Dr. Merritt on projects integral to his research program. Student lab participation is essential to advancing the mission of PROMPT in several crucial ways:

  • It injects fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, enriching the research process with diverse insights. Students bring a dynamic energy that propels the exploration of new avenues within our research agenda.
  • Active involvement in the lab provides students with practical, hands-on experience, honing their research skills and cultivating a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This contributes to their academic development and enhances the lab's overall productivity and output.
  • By nurturing a collaborative learning environment, student participation fosters shared ownership and commitment to the lab's goals, creating a sustainable and vibrant research community. 

The lab is committed to supporting the professional and academic development of its members, with Dr. Merritt

  • Empowering students to become independent, evidence-based researchers committed to advancing theory and practice at the intersection of organizations, management, and publicness,
  • Assisting students in identifying and seeking resources and opportunities that will enable them to further their academic and professional interests, and
  • Instilling students with the values and skills fundamental to meeting the challenges and opportunities of everyday life.​

Impact 

To expand its impact, PROMPT will continuously

  • Focus on research topics of local, state, and national importance, building on its scholarly groundwork,  
  • Cultivate new and existing research partnerships with governments, local organizations, university researchers, and students, and
  • Pursue external funding to support its theory-driven and practically relevant research.